Formula 1

Formula 1 bosses are to discuss a new proposal to introduce shorter ‘sprint’ races in an attempt to increase entertainment levels this season. Teams and bosses will vote on Thursday on a plan for a shorter race on Saturday, which would define the grid for Sunday’s grand prix. Qualifying for the Saturday race would take

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has signed a new one-year contract with Mercedes for the 2021 season. The 36-year-old’s previous deal lapsed in 2020 but he will now race for Mercedes for a ninth season. Hamilton became the sport’s most successful driver ever in 2020, breaking Michael Schumacher’s all-time win record and drawing level

New Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali says he will urge the Grand Prix drivers to “lead by example” as role models for the sport. The 55-year-old said he had written to all the drivers to point out their importance as “positive ambassadors for F1”. “They have big responsibility because they are the face of our

Former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean is to race in the US-based IndyCar series in 2021. He will drive for Dale Coyne Racing in selected races – on the road and street tracks, avoiding the high-speed ovals. “I had different options for this season and IndyCar Racing was definitely my favourite one,” said the Franco-Swiss,

Plans to build a new Formula 1 circuit in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro have been abandoned. The project, to be built on a former army base, had been criticised by environmentalists as it required the felling of a patch of native forest. World champion Lewis Hamilton had also indicated his opposition to

Frenchman Pierre Gasly has become the sixth Formula 1 driver to contract coronavirus. The Alpha Tauri driver said he was “feeling OK and will continue to follow my training plan from home while I am in isolation”. The 24-year-old, who won last year’s Italian Grand Prix, added that he had informed all his recent close

Formula 1 has “a problem” with Mercedes’ dominance likely to go unchallenged this year, says former team boss Eddie Jordan. Mercedes aim to improve on a record seven consecutive constructors’ titles. They are still negotiating a new contract with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton but Jordan believes both parties will “come to a good solution”. “The

Fernando Alonso has paid tribute to Spanish former Formula 1 driver Adrian Campos, who has died aged 60. Campos competed in 17 Grands Prix for Minardi in 1987-88. He had since run teams in the junior categories and played a formative role in the career of his compatriot Alonso, 39. Two-time F1 world champion Alonso

Carlos Sainz says he will “never forget” his first test for his new Ferrari team on Wednesday. The Spaniard, who moved from McLaren as a replacement for four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, did more than 100 laps at the team’s Fiorano track. Sainz, at the wheel of the team’s 2018 car because of Formula 1’s rules

Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has revealed he contracted coronavirus earlier this month. The 49-year-old said he has now recovered after submitting a positive test while on a break in Austria. “We had planned to be here for a few days and out of nowhere I got a positive corona test,” Wolff told Austria’s

Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button will compete in the new Extreme E racing series for his own team. Button, 41, joins other high-profile names who have signed up for the climate-aware series, including seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. “I’ve followed Extreme E with great interest – what they have managed to create

Dutch racer Maya Weung has become the first female to be made a member of the Ferrari driver academy. The 16-year-old secured her place on the programme by winning the Girls on Track Rising Stars programme organised by F1’s governing body the FIA with Ferrari. She impressed judges at an evaluation camp at Ferrari’s Maranello

Jenson Button has joined the Williams team as a senior adviser. The move takes Button back to the team that gave him his Formula 1 debut in 2000, before he went on to become 2009 world champion and win 15 grands prix. Button, 40, said Williams’ role in his career and the “history and heritage”

Sergio Perez says his move to Red Bull is a chance to prove he can compete at the highest level in Formula 1. The Mexican, who took his maiden win at the Sakhir Grand Prix in 2020, has spent his decade in the sport in teams usually competing in the midfield. The 30-year-old said: “I

Roy Nissany will continue as Williams test driver for the 2021 season. The 26-year-old Israeli will have three outings in practice sessions at Grands Prix, plus one day of pre-season testing as part of his deal. It means race drivers George Russell and Nicholas Latifi will have one day in the car each before the

The Alpine Formula 1 team has announced former Suzuki MotoGP team boss Davide Brivio as its new racing director. Alpine – formerly Renault – says Brivio’s specific role will be announced in the coming weeks and he will report to chief executive Laurent Rossi. The 52-year-old Italian replaces Cyril Abiteboul, who left last week. The

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has announced he has tested positive for Covid-19. In a statement on Twitter, the 23-year-old from Monaco said: “I am feeling OK and have mild symptoms. “I will remain in isolation in my home in Monaco in compliance with the regulations set by the local health authorities.” Earlier this month, McLaren

This year’s Formula 1 season will have a delayed start after the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix were postponed because of Covid-19 restrictions. The races were first and third on the 2021 calendar and the season is now scheduled to begin with the second race, in Bahrain, on 26-28 March. Australia and China have strict